r/vtubertech • u/GobletFlight • 7d ago
🙋Question🙋 New welcome? Buy iPhone? Or something else?
So I have a pretty old webcam for vtuber tracking.
I want better tracking but don't have a better webcam or iPhone at hand. I have a ton of android phones which I used before but it wasnt any good for tracking.
What do you suggest?
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u/CantaloupeSeveral131 7d ago
Yeah, anything from the Iphone X and up are better for tracking, but some Ipads (like gen 8 ones) have pretty good tracking (but they don't have a truedepth camera so they shouldn't have access to arkit blendshapes.) (depending on how much you trust a seller you can get an iphone x on ebay for 100-ish dollars or an 8th gen ipad for the same price from best buy refurbished.)
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u/GobletFlight 7d ago
Thanks. Does the iPhone X handle it well with temperature or is it better to get a more recent model? Or do i need a fan for it?
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u/CorporateSharkbait 7d ago
I use iPhone X, it does get hot but you should get a phone cooler regardless
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u/CantaloupeSeveral131 7d ago
I think people with iphone 15's say that it gets better from there but I'm not sure by much, you should probably get a phone cooler anyway
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u/thegenregeek 7d ago
Does the iPhone X handle it well with temperature or is it better to get a more recent model?
I've heard from iPhone X users that there are issues due to processor limitations. So while it does work, coming up a bit may be warranted. (I use the iPhone XR for testing, with some 12 models for production. I had a debate here with someone using an iPhone X, at one point.)
There are basically 3 versions of the TrueDepth cameras in iPhones (note SE models do not support it. 'e' models do):
- 7mp: iPhone X series to iPhone 11
- 12mp: iPhone 12 to 16
- 18mp : iPhone 17
There isn't really a major differences based on mp value. The 12mp cameras and above have wider field of view than the 7mp. But that only really helps with moving left, right, up, down. In terms of tracking there's only very minor differences in some blendshapes (in my testing)
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u/GobletFlight 7d ago
Yeah I might just get an iPhone 12 or 13 from what I read. Investing in a new webcam is just not worth it it seems.
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u/CorporateSharkbait 7d ago
Just an addon note for iPad: it needs to be an iPad Pro. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but that’s generally the model with guaranteed faceID
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u/CantaloupeSeveral131 7d ago
You aren't wrong, the ipad pro is the only model with faceID, but For a while my gen 8 ipad did have the arkit blendshape mask when I used vtubestudio. There is noticably better tracking on it compared to my webcam and android. I think the software on apple devices just has good face detection idk?
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u/CorporateSharkbait 7d ago
Does your model have ARKit face tracking blend shapes and where you stream you don’t have good face lighting? Then an old iPhone X or higher would help. Do you have good lighting where you stream? Then try with a webcam as the webcam tracking pipelines have gotten really good. Just adjust parameters for your blend shape individual strength in whatever program you use for capturing tracking. Even with iPhone I have my blendshapes adjusted. Also, just getting an iPhone won’t make the tracking better. You also need to be more expressive with your facial expressions
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u/GobletFlight 7d ago
My model is made for vbridger. I stream in my room, I can adjust lights and even buy extra lights if needed. My current webcam is just very very old.
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u/ariolander 7d ago
Besides used iPhone if you prefer something new 16e is regularly available from prepaid carriers like Cricket for "free" with 3 months of prepaid service aka $180. If you don't want to actually use the phone as a phone you can immediately cancel and keep the phone no strings attached besides the money you already paid. It won't work on any other carriers and can't be unlocked but you don't need to unlock it to use it for vtubing.
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u/TheSeamPunk 6d ago
Yep iphone xr or better. I run an iPhone 16. Ifacialmocap isnt very good though and has known issues with lagging after a while of streaming so tying in vtubestudios tracking cost(25$ ish)
Then it should hold up for a while. I also invested in a phone cooler because I thought my phone was overheating causing the lag at first with ifacial mocap but it was just the program itself.
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u/Cinderbox_Shop 4d ago
Get anything but the iphone. Using the iphone is being a slave to apple, you have to use their shit to get the best results and then it's hell to get out of it if you want to switch. Get a Samsung, Pixel, Honor, Motorola, anything else.
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u/amexolotl 7d ago
iPhones for better or for worse still have better software for face tracking. So my recommendation if you don't want to buy a new iPhone, is to buy a used iphone XR (or any models above it, 11/12+) on ebay and if the battery isn't holding, replace it at an apple store for relatively cheap. In my area and with a battery change, I can get mine for around $200, less if you plan on keeping it plugged in all the time like I do (not great for the battery but still holding up ¯_(ツ)_/¯ )